Figma vs Adobe XD vs Sketch Pricing 2026: The Design Tool Showdown
Figma costs $15/editor/month, Sketch costs $10/editor/month, and Adobe XD has been discontinued. Here's the full breakdown of what happened to XD, which tool offers the best value, and what to do if you're still on Adobe's abandoned platform.
The Quick Answer
Figma
$15/editor/mo (Professional)
Best for: Collaboration
Free tier: Yes (limited)
Adobe XD
Discontinued
Best for: Legacy use only
Free tier: No new subs
Sketch
$10/editor/mo (Standard)
Best for: Mac-only teams
Free tier: Trial only
Full Pricing Comparison
| Feature | Figma | Adobe XD | Sketch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Active | Discontinued | Active |
| Free Plan | 3 files, unlimited pages | None (discontinued) | Trial only |
| Pro/Standard | $15/editor/mo | N/A | $10/editor/mo |
| Organization | $45/editor/mo | N/A | $20/editor/mo (Mac-only) |
| Enterprise | $75/editor/mo | N/A | Custom |
| Platform | Web, Mac, Windows, Linux | Mac, Windows (legacy) | Mac only |
| Collaboration | Real-time (all plans) | Limited | Via Sketch for Teams |
| Prototyping | Built-in | Built-in (legacy) | Via Sketch Cloud |
| Developer Handoff | Built-in (Inspect) | Built-in | Via Zeplin/Avocode |
| Component Libraries | Shared libraries | Shared libraries | Shared libraries |
| Auto Layout | Yes | Yes (legacy) | Yes (Smart Layout) |
| Plugins | 1,000+ plugins | Limited | 800+ plugins |
Annual Cost by Team Size
| Team Size | Figma Pro ($15/editor) | Sketch ($10/editor) | Adobe XD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 editor | $180/year | $120/year | Discontinued |
| 5 editors | $900/year | $600/year | Discontinued |
| 10 editors | $1,800/year | $1,200/year | Discontinued |
| 25 editors | $4,500/year | $3,000/year | Discontinued |
What Happened to Adobe XD?
Adobe XD was discontinued in September 2023 after Adobe's failed $20 billion acquisition of Figma. Here's the timeline:
- September 2022: Adobe announces intent to acquire Figma for $20 billion
- 2022-2023: Regulatory scrutiny increases (EU, UK, US antitrust concerns)
- September 2023: Adobe and Figma terminate acquisition agreement
- September 2023: Adobe stops selling new XD subscriptions
- 2024-2026: XD remains in maintenance mode (no new features)
Feature Deep Dive
Figma: Best for Collaboration
Strengths
Real-time collaboration
Browser-based (no install)
1,000+ plugins
Cross-platform
Weaknesses
More expensive ($15/editor)
Requires internet connection
Can be slow with large files
Organization plan is expensive ($45/editor)
Best For
Distributed design teams
Cross-platform teams
Design-developer collaboration
Real-time feedback sessions
Adobe XD: Legacy Only
Strengths (Legacy)
Adobe ecosystem integration
Good prototyping tools
Repeat Grid feature
3D transforms
Weaknesses
Discontinued (no updates)
No new subscriptions
Will break with future OS updates
No community/support
Best For
Legacy projects only
Short-term use while migrating
Not recommended for new projects
Export existing files to Figma/Sketch
Sketch: Best for Mac-Only Teams
Strengths
Most affordable ($10/editor)
Native Mac performance
Clean, focused interface
Strong plugin ecosystem
Weaknesses
Mac-only (biggest limitation)
Collaboration via Sketch Cloud
Smaller community than Figma
Fewer integrations
Best For
Mac-only design teams
Budget-conscious teams
Teams preferring native apps
Individual designers
Hidden Costs to Watch For
Figma Hidden Costs
- Organization plan: Jumps from $15/editor to $45/editor for SSO, design systems, and analytics
- FigJam: Separate product for whiteboarding ($3-5/editor/month)
- Dev Mode: Separate developer handoff tool ($25/month per seat)
- Font hosting: Custom fonts require Organization or Enterprise plan
Sketch Hidden Costs
Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
Choose Figma If:
- Your team is distributed or uses multiple platforms
- Real-time collaboration is essential
- You want browser-based access (no install required)
- You need extensive plugin ecosystem
Avoid Adobe XD If:
- You're starting a new project (use Figma or Sketch instead)
- You need ongoing support and updates
- You want a tool with a future
- Export your existing XD files to Figma or Sketch now
Choose Sketch If:
- Your entire team uses Macs
- Budget is a primary concern ($10 vs $15/editor)
- You prefer native desktop performance
- You don't need real-time browser collaboration
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